No fracture for Ian Bell after thumb blow against India

London: There was relief for England after senior batsman Ian Bell was found not to have suffered a fractured thumb while fielding against India in the ongoing third Test at Southampton on Tuesday.

Early in the day`s play, India`s Murali Vijay edged James Anderson just short of Bell at second slip, the ball hitting the fielder`s left thumb. Bell immediately shook his hand in pain and, after treatment by the England physiotherapist, walked off the field. He was sent to hospital for an X-ray but, following a scan, the England and Wales Cricket Board tweeted: "No fracture, acute bruising, so he`ll remain off the field for treatment." Sean Terry, the son of former Hampshire and England batsman Paul Terry, fielded as a substitute for Bell at the southern county`s headquarters Ageas Bowl ground. Monday saw the 32-year-old Bell end a run of 19 Test innings without a hundred by top-scoring with 167 in England`s first innings 569 for seven declared. India lead the five-match series 1-0 after their 95-run win in the second Test at Lord`s.